Efficient Homes & Businesses

We support emissions reductions and increased energy efficiency in homes and businesses. To help our customers be more energy efficient, Virginia Natural Gas initiated an energy efficiency program in 2009 to help customers reduce energy usage and save on their utility bills through various energy-saving measures and incentives. These programs offer our residential customers rebates to upgrade to energy efficient furnaces, water heaters, and smart thermostats.

Explore: Residential Rebates

Cleaner Molecules

To reach a lower-carbon future, we are seeking opportunities to source natural gas from suppliers who have committed to lowering the emissions from their operations, while also seeking opportunities to support renewable fuels. Renewable natural gas (RNG) is a primarily carbon neutral or carbon negative source of gas derived from methane from organic material in landfills, crops, food and animal waste. This methane can be integrated into existing infrastructure, providing clean energy for cooking, heating, and drying. In 2024, we completed our first transactions for RNG, successfully reducing our carbon emissions by nearly 8,600 MT CO2e. This reduction is roughly equivalent to the carbon sequestered by more than 8,600 acres of U.S. forests for one year.

Additionally, in 2024, we launched a groundbreaking RNG initiative in collaboration with Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD). Once approved by the Virginia State Corporation Commission and constructed, this new facility will convert biogas from organic waste at HRSD’s Atlantic Treatment Plant into RNG. To further expand low-carbon alternative fuel opportunities within our footprint, we have also introduced a Sustainable Gas Program, featuring a five-year pilot aimed at encouraging the development of RNG production facilities in the Virginia Natural Gas service territory.

Superior Operations

We leverage the latest technologies to prevent, identify and mitigate emissions. As we work towards our net zero goal, we’re also engaging with the supply chain to help others do the same. Our parent company Southern Company Gas was one of eight founding members of One Future, a coalition of 50+ natural gas companies working to reduce methane emissions across the natural gas supply chain. In addition, we are seeking opportunities to purchase Next Generation Natural Gas, traditional natural gas that is sourced, transported and distributed by those and others committed to reducing methane emissions. VNG has supplied 100% of our residential and small business customers with Next Generation Natural Gas since 2024 and continues to do so.

Lowering Transportation Emissions

We employ a broad range of solutions to help us deliver affordable and accessible fuel to families and businesses across our service area while reducing emissions. Embracing alternative fuels like renewable natural gas (RNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) can significantly enhance energy efficiency and sustainability for homes and businesses. These fuels offer lower emissions compared to traditional options, contributing to cleaner air and reduced environmental impact. In 2020, across the entire United States, 3.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions were avoided by fueling vehicles with RNG.

We are currently operating more than 400 vehicles in our fleet using CNG, and we’re helping others expand access to fueling stations. CNG vehicles reduce emissions of common urban pollutants by up to 90% compared to gasoline and diesel-fueled vehicles and reduce GHG emissions by up to 21% on a well-to-wheel basis compared to traditional fuels.